Ewwwwwwww. You see all those termites eating at your wood, right? Ever wondered what species they were? Most people think they might be related to ants because they look like white ants. But, really, they are very social cockroaches. Scientists knew that cockroaches, termites, and praying mantises were related to each other because of their similar characteristics. Some of these characteristics are that their eggs are in special cases and that there are special perforations in the inner part of their heads. Recent genetic research verifies that termites and cockroaches are related. In addition, scientists stated that the fact that cockroaches like eating their feces may have been the cause for termites to evolve. Actually this might be something that might astonish you. For many years, scientists have argued if termites have or have not developed from cockroaches. Some data that shows this might be true is that both cockroaches’ and termites’ offspring have similar physically and that both bugs had certain microorganisms in common. Many fatiguing genetic experiments were done by Paul Eggleton and his colleagues at the Natural History Museum in London to figure out whether or not termites and cockroaches are from the same family. The outcome was yes, they are. Of course, you may think that is odd because there is a major difference in their behavior and eating and drinking habits. Where termites eat deceased wood, cockroaches eat their excretory waste. Very surprising isn’t it that termites and cockroaches are family?
I think this both disgusting and interesting. It is disgusting because who would want to study cockroaches and termites? I mean, personally, I scream every time I see a cockroach! As for termites, they seem odd. Who eats wood (besides termites)? At the same time, it is interesting because you would never know cockroaches and termites are related. That is what surprises me. Most of you out there might think this is a very weird topic to right about, and at times I do, too. But, there are things that make the news and aren’t even important. This is one of those articles, and the world should know!
SOURCE: MSNBC
HYPERLINK:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18233065/
PICTURE from: (click on picture to see a larger image)
http://www.synstelien.com/portfoliographics/images/cockroach.jpg
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